Union calls on Minister to ensure frontline voices are heard

January 20th: Welcoming the announcement by Health Minister James Reilly that the HIQA investigation into ambulance services is to be fast-tracked, Unite official Willie Quigley today (Monday 20 January) called on the Minister to ensure that input from ambulance frontline staff would be incorporated into the investigation.

The investigation comes in the wake of several high-profile incidents where ambulances have failed to come to the assistance of seriously ill patients within the recommended response times.

“Frontline ambulance staff, including paramedics, have more knowledge than anyone as to the difficulties posed by new rostering practices, which have impact on the crew numbers available to respond to calls including emergencies.

“Their input would be crucial if the investigation is not only to ascertain the reasons behind various failures, but also to make robust recommendations for improvement”, Mr Quigley said.